Why We Can't Afford Inaction Anymore

Spaghetti Junction in Gwinnett County- this year's legislative focus: transportation and infrastructure

This month the General Assembly opened up its 2015 legislative session. Top issues this session range from continued prison reform led by Governor Deal to controversial educational reform about state-control over failing school systems. But, the issue that will take up the majority of the attention this session is over transportation funding. Last year, a legislative task force on transportation funding released their recommendations that told us something we already knew: Georgia needs to reinvest itself in its transportation system and quickly.

Their study found that we need to raise $1-1.5 billion in revenue for infrastructure improvements and repairs. With the facts now laid out on the table, its time for our representatives to act on this issue because if we don't, not only will we not have alternative transportation options, but we won't even have adequate roads for our car-centric region. We might be the number one state to do business in currently, but in the near future, we won't be if we are stuck in traffic on failing roads and bridges that are falling apart beneath our tires. To me, the regular citizen, the answer seems obvious: raise taxes for transportation so we can move on to life's more pressing issues.

Governor Deal hopes for action on transportation funding this year in the Georgia Assembly

Unfortunately though, there is a current faction within the Republican party known as the Tea Party whose mission seems to be never raising taxes EVER. This is unfortunate since we still need $1-1.5 billions worth of transportation improvements and repairs for our roads and transportation systems, and we have no other source of funding for this except through raising taxes. Governor Deal, Casey Cagle, David Ralston, and many other republicans understand and agree that something has to be done, and currently, they believe the best way to raise these funds is through a gas tax. But with about half  of the Republican party out the picture in supporting this tax, Republican State Senate and House leaders will have to reach out to the other side of the aisle to pass this bill. Democrats in Georgia generally support investments in infrastructure, but they will probably only support this tax if some small portion of it goes toward an alternative transportation fund. This means there will be a lot of debating, bickering, and hopefully compromise in the 2015 legislative session.

But all of this is expected in a Red State such as Georgia. What is unexpected and gives this tax an actual chance (unlike T-SPLOST 2012) is that the economy in Metro Atlanta and Georgia is booming like it was before the Great Recession, gas prices are lower than they have been in years due to the introduction of more American-produced oil in our market, and MARTA's new leadership and improvements are improving the region's image of public and alternative transit in Atlanta. Firstly, a strong economy provides consumers' confidence at home meaning that traditionally conservative households this year will be more open to allowing their representatives to vote yes to an indirect tax increase. Furthermore, with gas prices being so low, people will be more open  to the idea of a gas tax since they can actually afford paying a gas tax currently. Also, MARTA had a stellar year last year, and as a result, government officials have more confidence and trust in the agency and its ability to function as a viable alternative to driving within the region. So the strong economy, low gas prices, and high opinion of MARTA can provide the recipe for success for a gas tax to raise transportation funding, but what cannot happen is doing nothing like in times past.

If we do not act on transportation funding during this legislative session, our governmental officials are putting our region's future at the risk. If they care about not only our reputation as an international city to do business and work, but also, the sustainability and livability of the residents living in Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia, they will find a way to pass this gas tax. We cannot allow inaction anymore because it is not a solution when we have over $1 billions worth of infrastructure repair and improvements needed. The federal government will not come to our rescue, private investment will not come to our rescue, only the representatives in the Georgia Assembly this legislative session can provide for this region and state's future. So it is time to act up and make some actual progress this year.

"We can debate how much it costs to do something, but let us not forget how much it will cost to do nothing." -Governor Deal at the start of the legislative session this year 

Streetcar Breaking News: There Is None

System Map with connections at MARTA Peachtree Center Station

Atlanta Streetcar in the Streets at Night (Testing Phase)

Old Atlanta Streetcars in Demolition Yard: Soon to be Back in Service!

Unsurprisingly, the Atlanta Streetcar's official opening to the public has been delayed once again. This Saturday, December 6th, was suppose to be opening day for the public just in time for the SEC Championship, but according to the AJC, issues and delays with the federal government has once again delayed the eagerly anticipated streetcar. This comes after the reports that the streetcar was suppose to open in November (by the latest), then in fall (sometime), then in the June, then in the late spring of 2014. Now, the city government is promising that the streetcar would be open by December 31, 2014 by the latest... sounds like another broken promise to me?

Whoever is in charge of the Atlanta Streetcar (Atlanta City government and MARTA apparently) has been doing in my honest opinion a horrendous job in the designing, construction, communication, and planning behind the new transit system. Problems have plagued the streetcar from its beginning. After receiving a $1 million TIGER grant from the federal government, the running of this agency has been disappointing to say the least. 

Firstly, the design of the 2.7 mile stretch around Downtown Atlanta seems illogical. Recently, Darin, the ATL Urbanist, pointed out some major flaws in the streetcar's route. At one end of the route, the streetcar turns around in the heavily trafficked Farlie-Poplar/Centennial Olympic Park area. During Falcons games and other major events downtown, the streets, parking garages, and surface lots are full of cars parked or finding parking for their respective event. The streets are packed, and the logistics of moving a 200-ton streetcar through these streets seem to have been forgotten. On the other end of the route, the streetcar turns around near an exit to the downtown connector. This means cars here will be mostly outflow traffic and that speeds here will be higher due to the need to speed up to drive on the highway. With slower moving streetcars and increased pedestrian movement moving, this area can become a real hazard for both drivers and pedestrians.       

Secondly, while it is true the streetcar's construction is complete, the construction process was long, slow, delayed, and sometimes detrimental to local businesses. Here, the agency did an excellent job keeping residents, business owners, and invested interests up-to-date with construction movement, it still did not make up for the fact the its construction was delayed. Last year's snow were partially a problem, but the streetcar agency themselves stated that the weather only caused about a two-week delay. Hopefully when the streetcar expands to the Beltline and North Avenue in the future, construction will be more organized, systematic, and efficient. 

In addition, the Atlanta Streetcar Organization's communication and planning with the public has been less than stellar. In a city, where residents are truly interested and invested in their communities, the organization has done little to engage and interact with the community. While their Streetcar Socials have been a hit, communication between the organization and residents has been inadequate. For instance on their website, their FAQ section says, "Updated as of October 2014." With the approach of the grand opening, the agency should be open and public for questions from the community and region, but instead they are acting like the FBI only releasing certain facts in their press releases which has done privately through the AJC or local news organization. In the future, the Atlanta Streetcar should be more open and forthcoming in agency developments and progress instead of secretive and not informing (may I remind everyone of the surprise testing period they announced last May).

And while the Atlanta Streetcar has had more than its fair share of problems that I am not afraid to rant and comment about it, I believe it is still integral to our city's future. It will connect all the major tourist centers, parks, office areas, and GSU in Downtown Atlanta. Its small 2.7mile route reconnect Atlanta's Central Business District with the Sweet Auburn and MLK neighborhoods which the city has promised to do since the building of the downtown connector. Also, this 2.7 mile loop will the serve as the base for a greater network of streetcar routes the city hopes to add to its infrastructure. It symbolizes both the progress of the future and the inefficiency and issues of the past. So I can't wait to ride the Atlanta Streetcar before December 31, 2014.